Miniature curling game with movable surface



March 8, 1966 MATTE 3,239,226

MINIATURE CURLING GAME WITH MOVABLE SURFACE Filed Feb. 6, 1964 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR Paul MATTE ATTORNEYS March 8, 1966 MATTE 3,239,226

MINIATURE CURLING GAME WITH MOVABLE SURFACE Filed Feb. 6, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 f7 /7 H I I.

will! INVENTOR j Paul MATTE ATTORNEYS March 8, 1966 p, MATTE 3,239,226

MINIATURE CURLING GAME WITH MOVABLE SURFACE Filed Feb. 6, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 A I :i M

i UL L* 11111 I 1 I 7 2/ 25 23 if L i if ML a H] INVENTOR Paul MATTE ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,239,226 MINIATURE CURLING GAME WITH MOVABLE SURFACE Paul Matte, 885 Rue Brebeuf, Val dOr, Quebec, Canada Filed Feb. 6, 1964, Ser. No. 342,930 Claims. (Cl. 273-110) The present invention relates to a table game apparatus particularly intended to simulate the conventional curling game as played on ice.

In all miniature games attempting to simulate an actual game or sport, one of the main difficulties to be encountered is to devise and achieve conditions which are close to those met when the actual game is played and and it is an object of the present invention to provide a miniature game, particularly applicable to curling, which is to be played on a table and which provides control facilities of the playing surface capable of imparting, to the stone or missile, the curling movement that a stone on an actual curling rink attains when thrown with a twisting motion, and capable of adjusting the curved course and the decrease in the loss of speed caused by the sweeping of the ice in front of the stone, in the actual game.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of such a game wherein the playing surface may be tilted both longitudinally and laterally to urge the missile into a desired arcuate path.

Still another object of the invention resides in the provision of a control mechanism whereby the playing surface may be tilted laterally both upwardly and downwardly, at will, whereby when the missile is thrown it will take a predetermined curling motion.

A further object of the invention lies in providing a control mechanism whereby the predetermined curling motion is reduced in amplitude while the table is tilted longitudinally thus simulating the action of the sweeping broom which is precisely used in the actual game to decrease the curvature of the path of the stone and to reduce the loss in speed due to friction.

Yet another object of the invention resides in that the lateral tilting of the plane board takes place both upwardly and downwardly from the horizontal plane whereby, when coupled with the provided longitudinal tilting, universal movement of the board results which affords appreciable control over the missile.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a game of the aforesaid type having a gulley system for the collection of missiles at the scoring end of the playing surface, the said gulley system serving for the return of the missiles to the delivery end.

The above objects may be attained in a miniature game made according to the invention which comprises: a horizontal support; a substantially flat generally horizontal playing board; an operating frame adapted to receive said playing board; first pivoting means connecting said operating frame to said support for pivoting action of the frame and board about an axis transverse of said board; second pivoting means connecting said board to said frame for pivoting action of the board about a lateral axis parallel to the longitudinal axis thereof, and an operating means on said frame operable to cause pivoting of said board about said lateral axis.

Preferably, the operating frame comprises a plurality of transverse members; said first pivoting means being a pair of pivot pins joining the ends of one of said transverse members to said support and said second pivoting means being hinges mounted on said board and on the ends of said transverse members corresponding to said lateral axis.

3,239,226 Patented Mar. 8, 1966 Preferably again, the operating means on the frame comprises a rotatable shaft extending through said transverse members as bearings; a series of circular discs eccentrically fixed to said shaft, as cams, and adapted to contact the undersurface of said board whereby rotation of the discs will cause lifting of the board and pivoting thereof about said lateral axis.

The invention will be better understood by the description that follows of a specific embodiment having reference to the appended drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the miniature curling game of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the undersurface of the playing board equipped with the operating frame therefor;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view, partly cut away, of the scoring end of the playing board, intended particularly to illustrate part of the collecting gulley system;

FIG. 4 is a central longitudinal cross-sectional view of the miniature game of the invention;

FIGS. 5 and 6 are transverse vertical cross-sectional views taken along line 5-5, 6-6, respectively'of FIG. 4, the playing board being shown in two different lateral angular positions;

FIG. 7 is another vertical cross-sectional view along line 7-7 of FIG. 4 showing the playing table as being tilted both laterally and longitudinally;

FIG. 8 is a transverse cross-sectional view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view, partly cut away to show some internal features, of the rotation control mechanism of the table lateral pivoting means;

FIG. 10 is a longitudinal crosssectional view of the pivoting means of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an aiming finger arrangement.

Referring more particularly to FIG. 1, the miniature curling game of the invention generally comprises a substantially fiat generally horizontal playing board I having a delivery end 3 and a scoring end 5. The delivery end comprises an optional score board 7 while the scoring area 5 includes the usual scoring circles 9.

This playing board 1 is mounted on a generally horizontal frame-like support 11 mounted upon the floor by means of a plurality of foldable legs 13, the mechanism for folding being of a known type and not part of the instant invention.

The playing board 1 is connected to the support 11 by means of an operating frame which, as said previously, will allow inclination of playing board 1 by rotation about a lateral longitudinal axis parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the playing board and tilting thereof, by pivoting about an axis transverse of the playing board and located generally at the scoring end of board 1.

The preferred operating frame consists of a plurality of transverse members 15 (see FIG. 2) to one end of which board 1 is pivotally connected as by means of hinges 17 (see FIGS. 5, 6, 7 and 8). The forwardmost transverse member 15, the one at the scoring end 5 of the playing board 1, is in turn connected to support 11 for pivotal action through a transverse axis x-x, as shown in FIG. 8. The connection is preferably through pivoting pins 19.

A central operating shaft 21 extends longitudinally centrally beneath playing board 1, and through transverse members 15 acting as bearings, shaft 21 being held against axial displacement by any known means.

A plurality of discs 23 are secured on said shaft 21, discs 23 being eccentrically mounted thereon to act as cams and being made to rest on roller mounts 25 secured on the undersurface of board 1 as clearly shown in FIGS. 4 through 8.

The operating end of rod 21 slides in a vertical slot 27 formed in the delivery end part of support 11. The said operating end of shaft 21 is provided with an operating knob 29.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, shaft 21 is hollow and the terminal disc 23 is provided with two circular segments 31 projecting from one surface thereof. A rod 33 is slidably received within the bore of hollow shaft 21, having at one end a button 35 while the other end thereof extends through a hole 37 in terminal disc 23.

The extreme end of rod 33 presses on a lever 39 provided with a finger 41, the said lever being pivotally mounted at the end opposite that of finger 41 on a bracket 43 secured to the undersurface of board 1 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. A leaf spring 45 also secured on the undersurface of board 1 presses lever 39 towards terminal disc 23 to force finger 41 in abutment against the same terminal disc 23.

Projecting segments 31 have a 90 angular extent and are spaced 90 apart thus leaving two grooves therebetween for finger 41 to ride when not pressed out by rod 33. Segments 31 are so located that, in the uppermost and lowermost positions of the board 1 (FIGS. and 6), finger 41 lies midway between the two segments. This also means that, when finger 41 lies in one groove, knob 29 may be rotated A; of a turn, or 45 either Way, for lefthanded or righthanded players, causing raising of the board (FIG. 6) or lowering thereof (FIG. 7).

Button 35 is manipulated when it is desired to shift finger 41 from one groove to the other.

It should be noted from FIGS. 5 through 8 that transverse cross members slope downwardly below the horizontal from the end thereof corresponding to hinges 17 for a purpose now to be determined.

Operation of the miniature curling game thus far described operates as follows:

In order to provide the missile or stone to be thrown from the delivery end 3 with a curving motion so that it can move about on the playing board 1 into a curvilinear motion, operating knob 29 is rotated in the direction corresponding to the desired upward or downward maximum lateral inclination of the board. This maximum inclination may be reduced by forcing rotation of shaft 21 so that finger 41 is displaced in the direction of one of the segments 31, maximum reduction being obtained upon abutment of finger 41 against one of the segments 31.

Forwardly of the first cam 23, between the latter and support 11, there is provided an oval-shaped wheel 47, fixed to shaft 21, and adapted to freely rest on a roller assembly 49 secured to a transverse element 51 held between the lateral members of support 11. Furthermore, and as perhaps as best seen in FIG. 2, oval wheel 47, in the extreme downwardly inclined position of the playing board 1 (that of FIG. 6) and in the extreme upwardly inclined position (that of FIG. 5) has the long axis thereof in horizontal inoperative position. However, as soon as knob 29 is rotated in either direction, wheel 47 also rotates and as it rests on the roller assembly 49 and because of its oval shape, causes board 1 to pivot slightly about axis x-x through the rearward transverse member 15. In other words, as the amplitude of the curve the stone is to follow is adjusted by means of cams 23, the board is automatically and simultaneously tilted about axis xx. This is to simulate the sweeping effect of the brooms in an actual game of curling.

It should be noted that as board 1 pivots about axis x-x, all transverse members 15 of the operating frame rise above support 11 except the one member 15 provided with pivot pins 19.

The invention also contemplates the provision of a novel missile collecting gulley system better illustrated in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4 and seen to consist of two lateral gulleys 53 each having a steeply inclined bottom surface discharging into a transverse net 55 the bottom surface of which slopes towards a delivery trough 57 (FIG. 4). Gulleys 53, net 55 and delivery trough 57 are integral with one another.

At the open end of delivery trough 57, there is pivotally mounted an elongated chute 59 extending longitudinally beneath playing board 1 and support 11 towards the delivery end 3 where it terminates into a collecting pocket 61.

From the above arrangement, it will be understood that whenever missiles or stones 63 drop into either of gulleys 53, or net 55, they are directed into chute 59 and eventually end up in the collecting pocket 61 where they may be picked up again to be thrown by the players.

Chute 59 may be held in inclined position by any known means such as by a system of bent rods 65 hooking into a strap 67 provided on transverse element 51. Whenever the game is to be put away, the bent rods 65 may be disengaged from strap 67 and chute 59 made to lie against support 11 and remain thereagainst in any known manner.

As an added convenience, support 11 may be provided, at the delivery end of the playing board, with a collector 71 adapted to contain extra stones as well as counting pegs for the score board 7 and which may have a closable cover for use when the game is put away.

Also as an added convenience, an aiming finger system may be provided as illustrated in FIG. 11, consisting of an upward finger 73 foldable over the retainer member 75 secured to a chord system 77, including pulleys 79, which can be made to move the said finger 73 by means of an operating arm 78 preferably having a part thereof slidable along a transverse rigid bar 81 used as guide therefor. Preferably also, finger 73 is spring pressed upwardly by means of a light spring so as not to resist the knock of a missile or stone 63 which happens to have been thrown in that direction.

As can easily be seen from perusal of FIG. 11, displacement of operating arm 78 in either direction will result in displacement of finger 73 in the same direction.

Although a specific embodiment of the invention has just been described, it will be understood that various modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. A miniature game comprising:

(a) a horizontal support;

(b) a substantially flat generally horizontal playing board;

(cl)J andoperating frame adapted to receive said playing oar (d) first pivoting means connecting said operating frame to said support for pivoting action of the frame and board about an axis transverse of said board;

(e) second pivoting means connecting said board to said frame for pivoting action of the board about a lateral axis parallel to the longitudinal axis thereof, an

(f) an operating means, on said frame, operable to cause pivoting of said board about said lateral axis.

2. A game as claimed in claim 1, wherein said operating frame comprises a plurality of transverse members; said first pivoting means being a pair of pivot pins joining the ends of one of said transverse members to said support and said second pivoting means being hinges n 1 ounted on said board and on the ends of said transverse members corresponding to said lateral axis.

3. A game as claimed in claim 2, wherein said operating means on said frame comprises a rotatable shaft extending through said transverse members; a series of circular discs eccentrically fixed to said shaft, as cams, and adapted to contact the undersurface of said board whereby rotation of the discs will cause lifting of said board and pivoting thereof about said lateral axis.

4. A miniature game comprising:

(a) a horizontal support;

(b) a substantially flat generally horizontal playing board having a delivery end and a scoring end;

(0) an operating frame over which said board is adapted to lie;

(cl) first pivoting means connecting the end of said frame, corresponding to the scoring end of said board, to said support for pivoting action of both the frame and board about an axis transverse of said board;

(e) second pivoting means connecting said board to said frame for pivoting action of the board about a lateral axis parallel to the longitudinal axis thereof, and

( f) an operating means on said frame, including handle means at the delivery end of said board, operable through said handle means, to cause pivoting thereof thereof about said axes. V

5. A game as claimed in claim 4, wherein said operating frame comprises a plurality of transverse members; said first pivoting means being a pair of pivot pins joining the ends of one of said transverse members to said support and said second pivoting means being hinges mounted on said board and on the ends of said transverse members corresponding to said lateral axis.

6. A game as claimed in claim 5, wherein said operating means on said frame comprises a rotatable shaft extending through said transverse members as bearings; a series of circular discs eccentrically fixed to said shaft, as cams, and adapted to contact the undersurface of said board whereby rotation of the discs will cause lifting of said board and pivoting thereof about said lateral axis.

7. A game as claimed in claim 6, wherein said operating means further comprises a roller assembly on said support and an oval wheel secured to said shaft and bearing on said assembly whereby rotation of said shaft causes pivoting of said board about both said axes.

8. A game as claimed in claim 7, rollers secured for rotation on the undersurface of said board and adapted to be contacted by said cams during rotation of the said cams.

9. A game as claimed in claim 5, wherein the top surface of said transverse members slopes evenly downwardly from the pivoting ends thereof whereby said playing board may move from a downwardly inclined position to an upwardly inclined position in relation to said lateral axis; the eccentricity of said discs being of a magnitude to allow such positioning of the board.

10. A game as claimed in claim 6, wherein one of said discs is mounted at the extreme end of said shaft and is provided with a rigid abutting segment projecting from the outer surface thereof in relation to said shaft; a downward lever pivotally mounted on said board and having a horizontal finger spring pressed against said outer surface to abut said abutting segment and prevent full rotation of said discs and shaft, and releasing means for pushing said lever and finger away from said outer surface and allow full rotation of said discs and shaft.

11. A game as claimed in claim 10, wherein said shaft is hollow and said releasing means is a rod extend-ing therethrough and directed against said lever.

12. A miniature curling game comprising:

(a) a horizontal support;

(b) a substantially flat generally horizontal playing board having a delivery end and a scoring end;

(0) an operating frame over which said board is adapted to lie;

(d) first pivoting means connecting the end of said frame, corresponding to the scoring end of said board, to said support for pivoting action of both the frame and board about an axis transverse of said board;

(e) second pivoting means connecting said board to said frame for pivoting action of the board about a lateral axis parallel to the longitudinal axis thereof,

(D an operating means on said frame, including handle means at the delivery end of said board, operable through said handle means, to cause pivoting thereof about said lateral axis; and

(g) an inclined gulley system at the scoring end of said board terminating into a collecting trough centrally at the said end and beneath said board and a downwardly inclined elongated chute operatively connected to said trough and directed to said delivery end of said board, whereby playing missiles which collect into said gulley system slip down into said chute and are directed back to said delivery end.

1 3. A game as claimed in cla'nn 12, wherein said operating frame comprises a plurality of transverse members; said first pivoting means being a pair of pivot pins joining the ends of one of said transverse members to said support and said second pivoting means being hinges mounted on said board and on the ends of said transverse members corresponding to said lateral axis.

14. A game as claimed in claim 13, wherein said operating means on said frame comprises a rotatable shaft extending through said transverse members as bearings; a series of circular discs eccentrically fixed to said shaft, as cams, and adapted to contact the undersurface of said board whereby rotation of the discs will cause lifting of said board and pivoting thereof about said lateral axis.

15. A game as claimed in claim 13, wherein said operating means further comprises a roller assembly on said support and an oval wheel secured to said shaft and hearing on said assembly whereby rotation of said shaft causes pivoting of said board about both said axes.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS C. PINKHAM, Primary Examiner.

RICHARD 

1. A MINIATURE GAME COMPRISING: (A) A HORIZONTAL SUPPORT; (B) A SUBSTANTIALLY FLAT GENERALLY HORIZONTAL PLAYING BOARD; (C) AN OPERATING FRAME ADAPTED TO RECEIVE SAID PLAYING BOARD; (D) FIRST PIVOTING MEANS CONNECTING SAID OPERATING FRAME TO SAID SUPPORT FOR PIVOTING ACTION OF THE FRAME AND BOARD ABOUT AN AXIS TRANSVERSE OF SAID BOARD; (E) SECOND PIVOTING MEANS CONNECTING SAID BOARD TO SAID FRAME FOR PIVOTING ACTION OF THE BOARD ABOUT A LATERAL AXIS PARALLEL TO THE LONGITUDINAL AXIS THEREOF, AND (F) AN OPERATING MEANS, ON SAID FRAME, OPERABLE TO CAUSE PIVOTING OF SAID BOARD ABOUT SAID LATERAL AXIS. 